59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times. May 12, July 2, and July 13.

Commentary

There is such a thing as righteous anger and we see it modeled in Scripture by Christ, but for fallen men anger is easily corruptible and cannot be sustained for long. In today's resolution Edwards is speaking to unrighteous anger and the temptation toward anger to acquire an expedient or desired outcome. Think of the words of James:

4 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3 NKJV)

James says that wars and fights come from sinful desires. Most times the root of our anger is anything but a desire for God's name to be honored. It could be pride, covetousness, lust, or anything in between.

In those moments where we are tempted to be angry, it would serve us well to take a breath and evaluate the source of our anger so that we may repent quickly. Sometimes anger may seem the expedient route to obtain what we want, but we need to hear and internalize the words of Jesus when He said:

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26 NKJV)

The seeds of murder is anger. Therefore evaluate yourself today. Evaluate particularly the root cause(s) of the anger you feel swell up. Do you lack self-control? Have you made a habit of being quick to anger in order to get what you want? Do you see your sinful anger as heinously as the Scripture describes it? Repent quickly. Pursue being what Edwards calls 'good-natured' because this better reflects the heart of Christ toward sinners.